CHARLESTON, W.Va. — High school graduates in West Virginia are improving their English and reading skills, but are still struggling in math and science, according to the 2015 ACT scores released Wednesday.

The state’s composite score increased from 20.6 in 2014 to 20.8 this year. The national score stayed at 21.0.

Charleston West Side leaders target student tardiness
By Samuel Speciale, The Charleston Gazette-Mail

Students at West Side Mary C. Snow Elementary were tardy more than 5,000 times last year, education officials said Thursday during a meeting with an advisory board tasked with helping the area’s struggling schools overcome chronic absenteeism and poor achievement.

The group, made up of schools officials and black leaders, met Thursday to address growing...

Martirano, in wake of Barbour incident: Bullying must be reported
By Shauna Johnson, WV MetroNews

PHILIPPI, W.Va. — The teen boy who held 27 fellow students and one teacher hostage at Philip Barbour High School Tuesday may have been looking for the student or students who’d bullied him, according to the boy’s pastor.

Dr. Michael Martirano, state superintendent of schools, could not confirm that report on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline” but, in general,...